Compact AED with one distal electrode

ABSTRACT

A re-usable, compact automated external defibrillator (AED) having a proximate electrode and a distal electrode for use in delivering an electrical charge to a person in cardiac distress. The components of the AED are packed together in a low-profile device body. The distal electrode may be easily unpacked from the device body and deployed. A circuit board within the device body controls the AED. The proximate electrode is part of the device body such that the device body is attached to the skin of the person when in use. The distal electrode is wired to the device body and also attached to the skin of the person when in use. The circuit board may be used to deliver a biphasic electrical charge to the person. The adhesive pads on the electrodes may be peeled off and replaced for reuse. Also, the electrodes may be replaced, if needed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No.17/712,881, filed 4 Apr. 2022, now U.S. patent Ser. No. 11/433,249,issued 6 Sep. 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

In the field of light, thermal, and electrical application, a device forapplying electrical energy to the external surface and inside portionsof the body to restore normal operation of the heart.

BACKGROUND ART

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwideorganization for standardization comprising all nationalelectrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IECis to promote international co-operation on questions concerningstandardization in the electrical and electronic fields. The IECpublishes a standard for Medical electrical equipment at Part 2-4:Particular requirements for the basic safety and essential performanceof cardiac defibrillators IEC 60601-2-4, which discusses requirementsfor the basic safety and essential performance of cardiacdefibrillators. Among other things, it specifies requirements for thedefibrillator electrodes. This governing standard is used to develop andpackage pads for defibrillators.

The compact automated external defibrillator disclosed herein is aunique and improved way to implement and package electrodes that arecompliant with this standard (with the possible exception of cordlength, which may be less than the standard but such new length isjustified by the fact that the improvements discussed herein enable theautomated external defibrillator (AED) pads to be in closer proximity tothe device body when used as compared to other AEDs).

An AED uses two electrodes, each with a conductive gel to help transferan AED shock to a patient. The standard calls for the minimum active gelarea of self-adhesive electrodes to measure a total of 150 squarecentimeters, with each area being at least 50 square centimeters foradults. Pediatric pads are required to total 45 square centimeters, witheach area being at least 15 square centimeters (when pediatricelectrodes are used).

Most AEDs today have electrodes that are the same size and package thesepads either in the AED or the AED carrying case. The electrodes aretypically in a pouch but there are other packaging methods. When the AEDis used, the pouch is removed from the AED or AED case and opened. Aprotective layer is peeled from the electrode, revealing an adhesivelayer. The adhesive is conductive and typically a hydrogel formula. Theelectrodes are adhered to the patient in specified locations. Becausethere are two electrodes, there are typically two cords (this is not thecase in the present compact automated external defibrillator).

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A re-usable, compact automated external defibrillator (AED) having aproximate electrode and a distal electrode for use in delivering anelectrical charge to a person in cardiac distress. The components of theAED are packed together in a low-profile device body. The distalelectrode may be easily unpacked from the device body and deployed. Acircuit board within the device body controls the AED. The proximateelectrode is part of the device body, which is attached to the skin ofthe person when in use.

The distal electrode is wired to the device body and also attached tothe skin of the person with an adhesive when in use, which may bethought of as an adhesive pad. The circuit board may be used to delivera biphasic electrical charge to the person. The distal electrode has abacking, typically made of foam, which may be thought of as a foam pad.The distal pad and electrode assembly is designed to be replaced ifneeded, for example after it has been used.

Stranded wire may be used to connect the distal electrode to the devicebody in order to maintain a compact AED profile. One or more liners maybe used to separate the sticky parts of the pads from each other whenstored in compacted form within the device body. To enable testing ofthe components prior to use, the liner separating the pads of theelectrodes may define a hole through which an electrical connection ismade between the proximate electrode and the distal electrode. This holeenables electrical contact when running a check on the operability of adischarge circuit. A metalized surface on the device body and the rearcover enable sealing the device body to preclude air infiltration thatcan dry out the pads. In another embodiment, a packaging envelope mayseparate the hydrogel and the proximate electrode. The packagingenvelope is used to seal the AED adhesive pads to keep them from dryingout when in storage and may include a pull-tab to unseal the pads andconnect the proximate pad to the proximate electrode during a rescue.

Technical Problem

AED's are often too large for convenient transport and use. Adding tothis problem is cord storage. According to the IEC 60601-2-4 standard,each cord leading from the AED device and ending at a pad should beleast 1 meter. Most AEDs today have two pads that are the same size,which are typically packaged with the AED or are in an AED carryingcase. Also, typical pads are packaged within a sealed pouch or tray.When the AED is needed for use, the pouch or tray is opened and the padswithin are connected to the AED (if not pre-connected) and then attachedto the patient.

The typical pads are composed of a foam backing and an electrode thathave a protective layer or liner that is peeled from the pad, revealingan adhesive layer for placement on the patient. The pad is usuallycoated with hydrogel, which is electrically conductive. The pads areadhered to the patient in requisite locations with the hydrogel or otheradhesive gel on the patient's skin. Because there are two pads, thereare typically two cords that are unwound to extend between the chargingunit and the pads in position on the patient. Pads are often connectedto the AED through a plug.

A challenge to storing pads for most AEDs involves the conductivematerial on the metal surface, typically a hydrogel formula. Theseformulas typically require special storage to minimize exposure to airin order to keep the hydrogel from drying out (i.e. reduce evaporativedrying), thereby extending the shelf life of the electrode pads.

Solution to Problem

The solution is a compact AED that employs a single cord when in use tominimize AED weight, volume and deployment operations. The single cordjoins a remote pad with the AED, where the AED itself doubles functionto serve as one of the pads.

The compact automated external defibrillator minimizes space required tostore the pads with the AED by using an alternative configuration.

The solution seals the compact automated external defibrillator from airinfiltration to protect the pads from drying out.

The solution of adhering the AED device to the patient is desirablebecause the compact automated external defibrillator is small andattaching it ensures that the AED is stable and does not “fly around”during the rescue event. Adhering the AED device to the patient limitspossible injuries to the patient or bystanders and also provides addedconfidence that the electrical connections are maintained.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The solution disclosed herein minimizes the physical volume required tostore the pads with the AED.

The solution disclosed herein employs an alternative configuration forthe AED where the AED attaches to the patient, requiring only one remotepad for operability.

The preferred solution disclosed herein strives to minimize duplicationof component parts within the AED to provide an AED operable with fewercomponent parts than AEDs heretofore available.

The solution disclosed herein provides a reusable AED once the pads arereplaced, which reduces replacement costs and adds to functionality.

The solution disclosed herein extends the life of the AED by allowinghydrogel, or other adhesive, to be replaced prior to or afterexpiration.

This solution enables the use of pads having different sizes, andcomplies with IEC60601-2-4 requirements for total area and minimumindividual area.

This solution still utilizes two electrodes, one electrode is connecteddirectly (no wire) with hydrogel or a similar adhesive to both thepatient and the energy source within the AED while the other isconnected to the energy source by a wire and adhered to the patient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the Compact AED withOne Distal Electrode according to the disclosure. The reference numbersin the drawings are used consistently throughout. New reference numbersin FIG. 2 are given the 200 series numbers. Similarly, new referencenumbers in each succeeding drawing are given a corresponding seriesnumber beginning with the figure number.

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the distal electrode separated from thedevice body.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the compact AED with one distalelectrode without a rear cover.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device body and packaging envelope.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the compact AED with one distal electrode.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rear of the compact AED with onedistal electrode.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a person in cardiac distress with thecompact AED with one distal electrode attached to the person.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the front of the compact AED with onedistal electrode.

FIG. 8 is rear view of the device body with a packing cover over apackaging envelope with a pull-tab.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the proximate pad and the distal pad showingthe skin adhesive and the electrode adhesive.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment where therear cover and packing cover are combined, to comprise a plastic thathas an adhesive around the periphery to seal to the device body.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part hereof and which illustrate severalembodiments of the compact automated external defibrillator (100) asdisclosed herein. The drawings and the preferred embodiments of thecompact automated external defibrillator (100) are presented with theunderstanding that the compact automated external defibrillator (100) issusceptible of embodiments in many different forms and, therefore, otherembodiments may be utilized and structural, and operational changes maybe made, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the compact automated externaldefibrillator (100) with a distal electrode (115) shown separated fromits storage position in the device body (105). The compact automatedexternal defibrillator (100) may be referred to herein as the AED. FIG.4 shows an exploded view of important components of the compactautomated external defibrillator (100).

The compact automated external defibrillator (100) is configured todeliver an electrical charge (605) to a person (601) in cardiacdistress. The compact automated external defibrillator (100) is furtherconfigured to support a plurality of cardiac rescues because it isreusable on another person (601), preferably after the foam pad (460),distal electrode (115), and distal pad (410) are removed and replaced,and also after the proximate pad (405) and the liner (335) have beenremoved and replaced.

The compact automated external defibrillator (100) includes a devicebody (105) that houses the components of the compact automated externaldefibrillator (100), which may be referred to herein as the AED. The AEDoperationally functions using a circuit board (415) within the devicebody (105) that permits a battery (450) also within the device body(105) to energize both electrodes. The battery (450) is preferablylodged at the base of the device body (105) on its front side, which isshown in FIG. 4 on the right of the exploded view and within a frontbody housing (445). Preferably, the battery (450) is not part of, ormounted to, the circuit board. The rear cover (465) is shown to theleft-side of the exploded view of the device body (105) in FIG. 4 .

The device body (105) contains a proximate electrode (110) and a distalelectrode (115). The proximate electrode (110) is an integrated part ofthe device body (105). It is preferably supplemented by a proximate pad(405), which is preferably made of an electrically conducting adhesivegel, such as hydrogel. If hydrogel is not used, the proximate pad (405)may include a skin adhesive (905) that is made to stick to the skin of aperson (601) in cardiac distress. An electrode adhesive (910) may beapplied to adhere the proximate pad (405) to the proximate electrode(110).

The proximate pad (405) is electrically conductive and is thus able toconduct the electrical charge (605) to or from the proximate electrode(110).

The proximate pad (405) is preferably the larger of the two pads. Theproximate pad (405) is connected to the AED by adhering or fastening tothe device body (105). The proximate pad (405) and the distal pad (410)are preferably made of hydrogel. The term “pad” is used loosely in thissense that the proximate pad (405) and the distal pad (410) may beformed simply by applying hydrogel adhesive in lines, dashed lines, orlots of tiny dots. In practice, the substance forming the proximate pad(405) and the distal pad (410) may not be considered by some to be a padin the traditional sense of it being a thick piece of soft material.Hydrogel or another adhesive may be similarly applied to the connectingelectrode (130) and insulating cover (432). The connecting electrode(130) is preferably tin or silver.

Thus, the device body (105) is configured to operably integrate with theproximate electrode (110). To facilitate reuse of the AED with newadhesive pads, the proximate pad (405) is a removable part of theproximate electrode (110) and also a removable part of the device body(105). The proximate electrode (110) is restored to near-new conditionby peeling off the used proximate pad (405) and adhering a newreplacement pad to the proximate electrode (110). The proximate pad(405), liner (335), distal pad (410), distal electrode (115), foam pad(460), and packing cover (455) may also be removed and replaced shouldthat become necessary for any reason.

The distal electrode (115) is configured to be easily unpacked from thedevice body (105) to deploy on the person (601) in cardiac distress.Preferably, a liner (335) is placed between the two electrodes so thatthe distal electrode (115) can be easily separated from the proximateelectrode (110) and unpacked from the device body (105). More precisely,in a preferred embodiment, the liner (335) is placed between theproximate pad (405) and the distal pad (410) to keep them from stickingtogether when separated during an emergency. The liner (335), theproximate pad (405), distal electrode (115), distal pad (410), foam pad(460), packing cover (455), wire (120), and insulating cover (432) areuser replaceable. In another embodiment, a second liner is provided onthe other side of the proximate pad (405) prior to installation onto theproximate electrode (110) to aid in shipping and packaging the proximatepad (405). This second liner faces the proximate electrode (110) and isremoved from the proximate pad (405) prior to installation on theproximate electrode (110).

In an alternative embodiment, the distal electrode (115), the proximateelectrode (110), or the connecting electrode (130) can made of acarbon-loaded vinyl, which is an electrically conductive material andcan serve as a substitute for tin or silver.

In another alternative embodiment, the distal electrode (115) is twicethe size of the pad geometry and then folded over on itself with thesplayed wire strands between the layers of distal electrode (115). Alayer of electrode adhesive (910) holds together the strands (125) ofthe wire (120) and the folded distal electrode (115). The benefit ofthis embodiment is that it provides a higher level of surface areabetween the distal electrode (115) and the strands (125).

The distal electrode (115) does not require a typical electricalconnector like other AEDs (such as a plug), makes contact to theconnecting electrode (130) on the device body (105) of the AED, and onlyrequires a single wire or cord. The wire (120) preferably stores in acarve-out (205) toward the rear of the device body immediately to thefront of where the rear cover (465) would go when added to device bodyshown in FIG. 2 .

Most commonly, the gel used for AED electrodes is typically an adhesivegel, such as hydrogel. Typically, no other adhesive coating is neededwith this type of gel. Optionally, the proximate pad (405) may be coatedwith one or more adhesives on each side of the proximate pad (405) forattachment to the proximate electrode (110) and for attachment to theperson (601) once the distal electrode (115) is unpacked. While theadhesive may be used at different locations within the AED and may bethe same adhesive in composition, each adhesive at a different locationis given a distinct name to accommodate the potential for differentadhesives being used and to avoid confusion. The adhesive that sticks toa person's skin is referred to as a skin adhesive (905). The adhesiveused to stick the proximate pad (405) to the proximate electrode (110),to stick the distal pad (410) to the distal electrode (115), and tostick the insulating cover (132) and wire (120) to the connectingelectrode (130) is referred to as an electrode adhesive (910). Finally,the adhesive used to seal the device body (105) from air infiltration isreferred to as the adhesive (320), which is preferably a siliconeadhesive.

The distal electrode (115) is electrically connected from the devicebody (105) by a wire (120). The wire (120) must be of sufficient gaugeand otherwise configured to deliver the electrical charge (605) to thedistal electrode (115) from the device body (105). The distal electrode(115) is configured to be replaceable and further configured to beoperable by the circuit board (415) in the device body (105). No othercircuit board positioned outside the device body, for example, one in oron the distal electrode is needed. Preferably, the distal electrode(115) is configured to be exclusively operable by the circuit board(415) in the device body (105).

Preferably, the circuit board (415) in device body (105) of the compactautomated external defibrillator (100) is configured to deliver areversal of the electrical polarity of the electrical charge (605)during the time the AED is delivering a charge to the person (601). Thisis termed a biphasic charge or shock. With any biphasic shock, thedirection of current flow is reversed during the electricaldefibrillation cycle. In the preferred embodiment of the compactautomated external defibrillator (100), such reversal is implemented atleast one time while delivering the electrical charge (605).

Preferably, the circuit board (415) is configured to be an indivisibleunit within the device body (105). This means that the circuit board(415) is not separable into two or more circuit board components. Whilethere may be more than one printed circuit board (PCB) within the devicebody (105), none such PCB may be broken off from another PCB andpreferably, none is located in the distal electrode (115).

The compact automated external defibrillator (100) preferably employsthe proximate pad (405) on the device body (105) so that the proximatepad (405) may be peeled off the device body (105). While an electricalplug provides a relatively easy means for disconnecting any electricalcomponent, the preferred connection for the proximate electrode (110) tothe circuitry within the device body (105) is one involving electricalcontact with the circuit board. A clip, a fastener, hydrogel and/or anadhesive may be employed to secure this contact.

The compact automated external defibrillator (100) is preferablyconfigured with the wire (120) composed of strands (125) of smallerdiameter wires. The strands (125) are attached to the device body (105)after splaying the strands (125) on a terminal or connecting electrode(130) on the device body (105). The strands (125) may be embedded in ahardened, electrically conducting gel (431), preferably hydrogel, tomake adhesion to the connecting electrode (130) easier for replacement.This arrangement is shown in FIG. 4 where the splayed wires are embeddedin a hardened, electrically conducting gel (431), such as hydrogel,which can then be adhered to the connecting electrode (130). For thatarrangement, there is preferably an insulating cover (432) over the geland wires to insulate them. Because the distal electrode (115) and theproximate electrode (110) have separated electrical connections abiphasic shock is made possible. The wire (120) that connects the distalelectrode (115) to the device body (105) is preferably splayed toflatten or minimize the height or profile of the connections.

In another alternative embodiment, the strands (125) that are embeddedin a hardened, electrically conducting gel (431) are adhered tocarbon-loaded vinyl, tin, or silver with electrode adhesive (910) whichmay be the same material as the hardened, electrically conducting gel(431). The carbon-loaded vinyl, tin or silver is covered with theinsulating cover (432).

In another alternative embodiment, the strands (125) that are embeddedin a hardened, electrically conducting gel (431) are folded between acarbon-loaded vinyl, tin, or silver, which are electrically conductivematerials. The hardened, electrically conductive gel (431) and thestrands (125) are adhered to the carbon-loaded vinyl, tin, or silverwith an electrode adhesive (910), which may be the same material as thehardened, electrically conducting gel (431). The carbon-loaded vinyl,tin or silver is covered with the insulating cover (432).

Similarly, the wire connection at the other end of the wire (120) on thedistal electrode (115) may use splayed strands. The wire (120) ispreferably attached to the distal electrode (115) after splaying itsstrands (125) on the distal electrode (115).

The distal electrode (115) preferably comprises a metal conductor(preferably tin or silver) with a distal pad (410) on one side next tothe liner (335) adhered to the metal conductor and a foam pad (460)covering the other side of the metal conductor next to a packing cover(455). Preferably, the foam pad (460) distal electrode (115), and distalpad (410) is a unit. Once used, this unit is disconnected and discarded,along with the wire and a new unit is installed with a new wire. Inanother embodiment, the distal pad (410) is configured to be peeled offand removed from the distal electrode (115) when a replacement distalpad is needed. In addition, the distal electrode (115) is configured tobe disconnected from the connecting electrode (130) at the device body(105). For example, this may be accomplished by peeling off the wire(120) and hydrogel from the connecting electrode (130), by removing thewire (120) from the connecting electrode (130), by unplugging from thedevice body (105), or by any other means. In an alternative embodiment,the proximate electrode (110) can also be disconnected from the devicebody when an electrical plug is not present, such as when it may need tobe replaced for maintenance, in the event is it combined with theproximate pad (405), or any other reason. In yet another embodiment, theconnecting electrode can also be disconnected from the device body whenan electrical plug is not present, such as when it may need to bereplaced for maintenance, in the event is it combined with theinsulating cover (432), or any other reason.

The device body (105) is configured to store the proximate electrode(110) separated from the distal electrode (115) by a liner (335). Theliner (335) is preferably a thin plastic sheet that can be easily pulledoff both electrodes to free them from their storage position. Thus, thedevice body (105) is preferably configured to store the proximateelectrode and the distal electrode (115) within the device body (105)separated by the liner (335).

The liner (335) is preferably configured to define a hole (425) throughwhich an electrical connection is made between the pads on the proximateelectrode (110) and the distal electrode (115) enabling activation of acheck on the operability of a discharge circuit. This electricalconnection facilitates periodic testing of the AED pads, for example thehydrogel, by the compact automated external defibrillator (100) whenactivated to do a simple connectivity test. Doing this would validatethat the user has correctly stored the pads and that the electrical pathis valid (i.e., the hydrogel has not dried out).

The discharge circuit is an electrical path from the device body (105)that houses the proximate electrode (110), through the hole (425) to thedistal electrode (115), and back through the wire (120). In analternative embodiment, the discharge circuit is an electrical path fromthe device body (105) through the wire (120) to the distal electrode(115), through the hole (425), to the proximate electrode (110).

When in use, the circuit board (415) is configured to deliver theelectrical charge (605) through the connecting electrode (130), throughthe wire (120) through the distal electrode (115) where the electricalcharge (605) passes through the person (601) and ends at the proximateelectrode (110). When a biphasic charge is employed, the circuit board(415) is also configured to deliver the electrical charge (605) throughthe proximate electrode (110), through the person (601), through thedistal electrode (115), through the wire (120), and end at theconnecting electrode (130). In other embodiments of a biphasic shock,the first electrical path may begin with the proximate electrode andthen switch to the distal electrode.

As an example, FIG. 7 shows an activation button (705) along with othercontrols on the front face of the compact automated externaldefibrillator (100). In this embodiment, the activation button (705)enables use of the AED to send the electrical charge (605) through theperson (601). Other embodiments include automatic activation of the AED,for example when an arrhythmia is detected.

A packaging envelope (350) is shown in FIG. 3 within the rectangulardashed box. A pull-tab (345) may be used to unseal the packagingenvelope (350). The packaging envelope (350) is configured to seal theproximate pad (405) and distal pad (410) to help keep them or preventthem from drying out when in storage, and the pull-tab (345) isconfigured to easily open the packaging envelope (350) during a rescuein order to reveal the proximate pad (405) and align it to the proximateelectrode (110).

A metalized surface (420) on the device body (105) may be applied tohelp seal the device body (105) from air entering and leaving the devicebody (105). Among other benefits, the metalized surface (420) preventsthe pads from drying out. Thus, the metalized surface (420) isconfigured to seal the device body (105) when the components of the AEDare in storage.

As shown in FIG. 4 , a rear cover (465) is a rigid closure for thedevice body (105). The rear cover (465), for example, could be a hardplastic. An adhesive (320), such as silicone, may be used on theperiphery of the packaging envelope (350) to engage with the device body(105). Additionally, a packing cover (455) may be included to help sealup the device body (105) when the components are stored therein. Thepacking cover (455), like the rear cover (465), is preferably made of alight weight material, such as plastic, foam, or that is metalizedmaterial. For example, a metalized coating or seal would be peeled awayat the corner or edge of the device. A peelable corner tab (805) isshown in FIG. 8 for the lower right-hand corner of the packing cover(455).

In an alternative embodiment, the packing cover (455) may serve toreplace the foam pad (460), revealing the distal electrode (115) anddistal pad (410) underneath of it once removed.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 10 , the rear cover (465) maybe combined with the packing cover (455), designated packing cover (455)in FIG. 10 . The packing cover (455) is composed of plastic and issealed to the device body (105) with adhesive (320) around the peripheryof the packing cover (455). The adhesive (320) is preferably siliconeadhesive. In another embodiment, the packing cover (455) may beconfigured with a corner clip (1005), preferably 4 corner clips at eachcorner of the packing cover (455). Such clips may also be present on therear cover (465) and the rear cover (465) itself may also be sealed tothe device body with adhesive (320). Preferably, each corner clip (1005)mates with a notch (1010) on the device body (105), which ensures atight fit, and a seal by the adhesive (320). The plastic of the packingcover (455) may seal against a metalized surface on the device body(105) to help prevent air infiltration.

In another embodiment, the rear cover (465) may be configured with amechanism, such as a notch or clip, to mate with a mechanism on thedevice body (105), such as a notch or clip, to ensure proper orientationof the connecting electrode (130).

In another alternative embodiment, the packing cover (455) may serve toreplace the rear cover (465), revealing the distal assembly, namely thefoam pad (460), distal electrode (115) and distal pad (410), underneathof it once removed. Adhesive sealant around the inside of the packingcover (455) connects to the device body (105) and prevents airinfiltration to the pads.

In sum, important component parts of the compact automated externaldefibrillator (100) include: the foam pad (460), the distal electrode(115), and the distal pad (410), which are an assembly, and which adhereto the person in cardiac distress; the electrodes, including the distalelectrode (115) and the proximate electrode (110), which are conductivemetals, preferably tin or silver, which form the conductive portion thatconnect to the person in cardiac distress and also the distal electrode(115) is the component that connects to the wire (120) that thenconnects to the device body (105); the distal pad (410) and theproximate pad (405), which are preferably made of hydrogel and whichinclude an electrically conductive gel that adheres each electrode tothe patient and that creates a lower resistance electrical path to thepatient; the proximate electrode (110) and the distal electrode (115),which are electrically conductive elements that are connected to AED'sinternal circuitry.

The above-described embodiments including the drawings are examples ofthe compact automated external defibrillator (100) and merely provideillustrations of the compact automated external defibrillator (100).Other embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Thus, thescope of the compact automated external defibrillator (100) isdetermined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents ratherthan by the examples given.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The compact automated external defibrillator (100) has application tothe medical industry.

What is claimed is:
 1. A compact automated external defibrillatorconfigured to deliver an electrical charge to a person in cardiacdistress, the compact automated external defibrillator comprising: adevice body comprising a proximate electrode, a proximate pad, a liner,a distal pad, a distal electrode a circuit board, a battery, and apacking cover; the proximate electrode comprising a conductive surfaceof the device body; the conductive surface becoming accessible uponremoval of the proximate pad, the liner the distal pad, the distalelectrode, and the packing cover from the device body; the conductivesurface comprising an electrical contact with the circuit board withinthe device body; the circuit board configured as an indivisible unit tooperationally control defibrillation; and the distal electrodeconfigured to be exclusively operable for defibrillation by the circuitboard.
 2. The compact automated external defibrillator of claim 1,wherein the compact automated external defibrillator is configured forreuse on another person.
 3. The compact automated external defibrillatorof claim 1, wherein the circuit board is configured for a reversal ofelectrical polarity of the electrical charge, such reversal implementedat least one time while delivering the electrical charge.
 4. The compactautomated external defibrillator of claim 1, wherein the proximate padis configured to be electrically connected to a proximate electrode. 5.The compact automated external defibrillator of claim 1, wherein theproximate pad is configured to be removable from a proximate electrode.6. The compact automated external defibrillator of claim 1, furthercomprising an electrical connection between a distal electrode and thedevice body, the electrical connection configured to deliver theelectrical charge to the distal electrode from the device body.
 7. Thecompact automated external defibrillator of claim 1, wherein a distalelectrode is configured to be removable by unpacking from the devicebody.
 8. The compact automated external defibrillator of claim 1,wherein a distal electrode comprises the distal pad.
 9. The compactautomated external defibrillator of claim 1, wherein the distal pad isconfigured to be replaceable.
 10. The compact automated externaldefibrillator of claim 1, wherein the device body mates with a rearcover in a configuration that prevents air infiltration to the proximatepad and the distal pad prior to deployment of the compact automatedexternal defibrillator.
 11. The compact automated external defibrillatorof claim 1, wherein a proximate electrode in the device body isconfigured to be disconnected from the device body when an electricalplug is not present.
 12. The compact automated external defibrillator ofclaim 1, further comprising a wire connecting a distal electrode to thedevice body, the wire comprising strands, and the wire configured to beattached to the device body after splaying the strands on a terminal onthe device body.
 13. The compact automated external defibrillator ofclaim 12, wherein the wire is configured to attach to the distalelectrode after splaying the strands on the distal electrode.
 14. Thecompact automated external defibrillator of claim 1, wherein the linerseparates the proximate pad and the distal pad, the liner configured todefine a hole through which an electrical connection is made between aproximate electrode and a distal electrode enabling activation of acheck on operability of a discharge circuit, the discharge circuitcomprising an electrical path from the device body, through the hole tothe distal electrode, and through a wire configured to deliver theelectrical charge to the distal electrode from the device body.
 15. Thecompact automated external defibrillator of claim 1, further comprisinga packaging envelope, the packaging envelope configured to seal theproximate pad and the distal pad to prevent them from drying out when instorage.
 16. The compact automated external defibrillator of claim 15further comprising a pull-tab on the packaging envelope, the pull-tabconfigured to open the packaging envelope during a rescue in order toconnect the proximate pad to a proximate electrode.
 17. A compactautomated external defibrillator configured to deliver an electricalcharge to a person in cardiac distress, the compact automated externaldefibrillator comprising: a device body comprising a proximateelectrode, a proximate pad, a liner, a distal pad, a distal electrode, acircuit board, a front body housing, a battery, and a rear cover; thecircuit board positioned within the front body housing, the circuitboard configured as an indivisible unit within the front body housing;the device body forming a proximate electrode and a connecting electrodedefined on a wall that encloses the circuit board within the front bodyhousing and that become accessible upon removal of the proximate pad theliner, the distal pad the distal electrode and the rear cover from thedevice body; the device body configured to seal the proximate pad andthe distal pad separate and apart from the proximal electrode and theconnecting electrode during storage.
 18. A compact automated externaldefibrillator configured to deliver an electrical charge to a person incardiac distress, the compact automated external defibrillatorcomprising: a device body, the device body comprising: a front bodyhousing forming a front end of the device body; a circuit board locatedwithin the front body housing, the circuit board configured as anindivisible unit to operationally control defibrillation; anelectrically conductive material forming at least two separatedterminals defined on a wall that encloses the circuit board within thefront body housing the two terminals electrically connected to thecircuit board; and a distal electrode configured to be exclusivelyoperable for defibrillation by the circuit board; the device bodyconfigured to store a proximate pad, the proximate pad electricallyconnected to the circuit board while in storage; wherein the twoterminals become accessible upon removal of a proximate pad, a liner, adistal pad, the distal electrode and a rear cover from the device body.